Political Science and Liberal Arts Education in Utah

Are you a Utah college student trying to decide what to do with your life? If you have an interest in politics, government and the functioning of political power around the world, consider a political science degree. Careers in a wide variety of industries are available to political science graduates in Utah. In addition to working on political campaigns and in various levels and branches of government, political science graduates may pursue careers in law, communications, foreign relations, public administration, private industry, nonprofit organizations, the military, information technology, education and within a wealth of other disciplines.

Basic political science courses required at most Utah universities and colleges that offer bachelor's degrees will cover subjects including international relations, comparative politics, political ideologies, gender studies, psychology, geography, urban planning, economics, history and American government. Graduate studies are recommended for those who wish to teach at a postsecondary level, participate in research as a career move, or work in the legal field. Graduate courses may focus on more advanced subjects in political science such as approaches to studying politics, quantitative analysis, public administration, and American politics.

Political Science Careers in Utah

Many careers that require political science backgrounds are projected to grow faster than average in Utah through the year 2018, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The average annual growth rate expected for all occupations in the state from 2008 to 2018 is 2.1 percent. The following career options that are possible with a political science degree all have projected annual growth rates equal to or higher than that average: public relations managers (2.1 percent), marketing managers (2.4 percent), logisticians (2.4 percent), management analysts (3.2 percent), urban and regional planners (3.1 percent), market research analysts (3.8 percent), political scientists (5.3 percent), lawyers (2.1 percent), and legal assistants and paralegals (3.5 percent).

Employers for those intrigued by political science careers in Utah are located all across the state in a menagerie of industries and occupations. Graduate trained political science majors may choose to work in instructional positions in the state's colleges and universities. The numerous computer and software companies across Utah employ political science graduates in project management, government relations and other similar types of positions. Some of these include Fiserv in Salt Lake City, ConnectPoint in Draper, and LANDesk in South Jordan. Governmental positions are also possible within the national branch (at locations including the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Fort Duchesne, the National Parks Conservation Association in Salt Lake City, and the Social Security Administration in Salt Lake City) as well as within local and state government agencies and departments.

How to Become a Politician in Utah

Some Utah citizens are surprised to discover that the filing fees to run for certain public offices in the state are quite low. For example, in order to run for state representative, the filing fee is 1/8 of 1 percent of the total salary for the full term of office. For this office, that amount would equal approximately $16.20. Of course, there are many more requirements to be met other than just paying the filing fee. If you wish to run for Utah state representative, you must have been a resident of Utah for at least 3 years prior to the election, be 25 years of age or older, be a U.S. citizen, have lived in the specific voting precinct in the state in which you seek office for 6 months or more, and be a qualified Utah voter.

The Lieutenant Governor of Utah's office publishes Election Resources for those seeking public office in the state. Whether the office you seek is in a political party, Political Issues Committee, Political Action Committee, corporation, a state office, or a federal office, the Lieutenant Governor's website can provide you with the qualifications necessary for that office.